Here's a personal take by Tom Tomorrow, the cartoonist who writes "This Modern World" -- you've seen it! -- on the rise and fall (probably) of alt weekly comics: that is, comic strips like Tom's that have appeared primarily in alternative weekly news magazines, those free entertainment guides found in so many cities and towns.

It's interesting because there's a certain formula to the story Tom tells, the rise and fall of a scene, which is almost archetypal. First is the point when the thing doesn't exist and doesn't seem like it even could exist. Then mysterious doors open, and suddenly something magical happens. The people involved treat the thing as their own private marvel, but strive yet to expand their activity to influence the wider culture. Eventually the thing spans out to a broad audience, again almost magically, though it is because the ground work has been laid. But finally, when the magical thing is now practically taken for granted by the entire culture, the rug is pulled out. The circumstances that created the magic moment and the whole chain of events the led to its development are suddenly gone. The spirit moves on. And those responsible for making it all happen feel left holding the bag, and wondering what went wrong.

It's odd, it's sad, but it does seem natural and right somehow. Like such stories shed light on the hidden structure of the universe.

Again, here's the link.